Welcome back, bookworms!

This year is flying by, and I’ve been making really good progress on my TBR. Enough to look over some reads that I’ve missed in the past.

Today’s review is for Sister Funtime by Spencer Hamilton.

I added this to my TBR years ago and even had my library buy a copy, but I got distracted by other shiny books. It’s a real problem! When I saw the cover again recently I just knew I had to give this a try. I haven’t really delved into religious horror, but I was excited.

Let’s see how it went!

Blurb

“Welcome to hell, Sister.”

Sister Mary Matthew arrives on the steps of St. Teresa’s Joyous Youths Orphanage determined to be the children’s favorite nun. But she can’t seem to win over the head of the orphanage: stern, withered Sister Agatha Eustace, whom everyone secretly calls Sister Killjoy.

Mary tries to rise to the challenge, but things at St. Teresa’s feel . . . off. A mysterious benefactor. Sick children denied medicine. A crowded cemetery. Strange noises from the basement. Cruel punishments. Terrifying dreams.

Worst of all, her prayers remain unanswered. She feels as if God has abandoned her and everyone at St. Teresa’s. Until, one full-mooned night, a voice calls to her. A voice that claims to know her heart’s desire.

Before there was Smileyland, before Mister Smiley, there was a decrepit orphanage run by an evil nun and full of children who chanted:

“Sister Funtime, Sister Funtime, Sister Funtime!”

From the author of Welcome to Smileyland and The Fear comes the new religious horror novella, the latest entry in the Smileyverse. Come on in—and don’t forget to say your prayers.

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I am an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate and earn a tiny commission for purchases made through the links in this post at no cost to you. It’s a great way to help me keep things running on my blog if you’re already intrigued enough to make a purchase. 

The Review

This book was so much fun!

Several teens break into an abandoned amusement park and tell scary stories to make the atmosphere truly terrifying. One of the teens tells the story of Sister Funtime, a troubled nun who lived on the property when it was an orphanage. Sister Mary Mathew came to the orphanage for peace and growth, but what she discovers in her time there is a nightmare darker than she could ever imagine.

What really shined in this book was the writing. This author is a great storyteller, and I immediately felt immersed in the story with his fluid and easy to read style.

The setting was intriguing. I’m not a religious person, so it felt new, strange, and exciting. Though the story takes place in one setting, there’s a lot of variety to be had and there was mystery and action packed into every chapter.

Sister Mary Matthew (Dory) was a great main character to follow around. With her devotion to change her life, she has an interesting duality to her, her past and present self. I liked seeing her grow and spiral along the way, and other characters felt just as real as she did.

I loved how dark this book got along the way, and the ending was fantastic. This definitely won’t be my last read from this author!

That’s A Wrap!

Well that’s it for this book review. Like what you see? Leave a tip!

Have you read this book? Are there other similar books you’ve read that you simply have to gush about? Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to start a conversation!

Have a great day!

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